News Room

In 1992 I organized the very first USC Marshall Scholarship Luncheon. This annual event recognizes the donors who support scholarships at Marshall and the students who benefit from their generosity. This week we hosted our 20th Scholarship Luncheon and I couldn't have been prouder of this important anniversary. Town and Gown was brimming with excited students and delighted donors! Once again I witnessed the moving bond created between them as they meet for the first time.

Marshall's donor-funded scholarship program has grown over the past two decades–in size and importance. It helps the school recruit the best and brightest students regardless of their financial circumstances. It also recognizes and rewards our continuing students for academic, leadership, and community service excellence.

The students’ thank you letters go to the very core of what a scholarship can mean:

Our donors touch our students where they are, by funding scholarships that cover a wide range of interests, situations, and career aspirations. Some scholarships support military veterans:
My military training prepared me for many of life's challenges and has given me the strength and focus needed to pursue my educational goals. Because of your help my dreams are coming true.

My military training prepared me for many of life’s challenges and has given me the strength and focus needed to pursue my educational goals. Because of your help my dreams are coming true.

Or students who have lost a parent while in college:

my father passed away this past February, but I can't tell you how proud and grateful he was when I received this scholarship last year.

We also have donors who help students who have developed a disability while in school, or been in an accident, and those with an interest in international business research and even sailing! The USC Marshall School of Business alone now sponsors over 400 students through our donor-funded scholarship program.

Each year the speakers at our luncheon cite a common theme: The importance of giving back. And we've learned that our scholarship recipients embrace this value for themselves:

Your generous contribution towards my future success has also put the idea of giving back to the community in perspective to me. I have never realized until now what the positive affects of a scholarship could do to one.

Since the first Marshall Scholarship Luncheon over 5,000 students have received scholarships. These scholarships are vital to the hopes and dreams of our students. Please join me and our family of generous donors in supporting the scholarships that help our students excel in the classroom and in their careers.

Fight On!
Jeannie Bowman
Senior Director of Development
USC Marshall School of Business
BA '74